People’s vote all-important: Nazri
KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz has told Umno members to focus on winning the rakyat’s vote instead of campaigning for positions in the party during the Umno general assembly.
The Umno supreme council member said with the 14th general election (GE14) around the corner, members should put aside their personal agenda or differences for the greater good of the party.
“I am especially worried that there will be some members who will be thinking about campaigning, not for GE14, but for positions in Umno.
“Don’t be too focused on competition within the party, but how to win the people’s vote. That is much more important than our position in the party,” he told reporters after attending the 12th convocation ceremony of Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara) here yesterday.
Nazri said although the party election is only expected to take place next year, Umno members should be wary of putting individual interests above that of the party.
“In 2000, I quit competing for positions in the party because to me, the party is more important. I hope we will discuss only what we need to do (to win the election),” he said.
On Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, and some members leaving Umno to join it, Nazri said it would be short-term.
“I am not worried at all. In the end, they will return to Umno. In the past, who would have thought Mahathir would hug DAP leader Lim Kit Siang? I can already see the drama five or six years down the road, with Mahathir and the rest coming back to Umno,” he said.
On a recent altercation between Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Shah Alam MP Abdul Khalid Samad, Nazri said action should be taken should there be any evidence of wrongdoing.
“Two wrongs doesn’t make a right. If proven, then answer in court. No excuses, even if you are from my party,” he said.
Nazri also rubbished claims that Umno is a violent party of gangsters, following comments stemming from recent incidents involving the Red Shirts, and a group from Pasir Salak which attempted to assault Khalid within the Parliament compound.
“How can the action of a few be regarded as a reflection of Umno?”